Concerns around young people’s relationship with social media may not be a new topic. However, for many educators across schools, colleges and multi-academy trusts (MATs), the scale and intensity of that relationship is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
What was once seen as a distraction is now being recognised as something more persistent - with some students showing signs of compulsive or obsessive engagement with social platforms, and the impact beginning to show in the classroom.
Insights from research conducted by Qoria, Smoothwall’s parent company, highlight just how widespread this challenge has become. In a survey of more than 420 school decision-makers across the UK, 79% reported an increase in social media obsession among students.
This is not just about time spent online. Educators describe a pattern of behaviour where students feel compelled to check, scroll, and engage with content frequently - sometimes struggling to disengage even during lessons.
In the classroom, this can present in several ways. Some educators report reduced attention spans and difficulty sustaining focus on tasks that require deeper thinking. Others highlight increased distraction, with students more preoccupied by online interactions or trends than the lesson itself.
While social media can offer opportunities for connection and creativity, its more compulsive use can have unintended consequences.
The same research found rising levels of anxiety (90%), sleep loss (84%), and lack of concentration (80%) among students - all of which are increasingly linked to digital behaviours. In the classroom, this can translate into reduced academic focus, increased distraction, and in some cases, withdrawal from learning activities altogether.
For educators, this creates an additional layer of complexity. Supporting student wellbeing increasingly involves understanding not just what is happening in school, but how digital experiences outside the classroom are influencing behaviour and engagement.
Addressing social media obsession is not about removing access entirely. These platforms are a core part of how young people communicate and interact.
Instead, many education settings are focusing on helping students build healthier, more balanced relationships with technology. This includes encouraging open conversations about online experiences, helping students reflect on their digital habits, and building awareness of how social media platforms are designed to capture attention.
Providing staff with the confidence to recognise early signs of digital-related distress is also key, alongside creating an environment where students feel able to speak openly about what they are experiencing online.
Technology can also play a role in supporting this approach. For example, digital monitoring can help to surface patterns or behaviours that may indicate a student is struggling - enabling early, informed interventions.
The rise in social media obsession reflects a broader shift in how young people are engaging with digital environments. For schools, colleges and MATs, it highlights the need to consider not just online safety, but digital wellbeing as part of a wider safeguarding approach.
Supporting students in this space requires a coordinated effort - bringing together educators, families, and policymakers to better understand and respond to emerging risks.
Smoothwall remains committed to supporting schools with the tools and insight needed to stay ahead of evolving digital risks, and to help students thrive safely in an increasingly AI-driven world.